Spring-wheel.



J. A WIBLE.

SPRING WHEEL. APPLIOATIOH FILED SBPT.15, 1909.

Patented "Nov. 22, 191.0.

WIT E8858 E WAA---L AT OH/VE UNITED STATES PA NT orat on.

JAMES WIIBLE, OF. OAKDALE, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPRING-WHEEL.

Application filed September 15, 1909. Serial No. 517,804.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that]: JAMES A. VVIBIJE, a citizen of the United tates, and a resident of Oakdale, in the county. of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have made certain new and useful Improvements in Spring- Wheels, of. which the following is a speciiication. v

My invention is an improvement in spring wheels, and consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts, hereinafter described and claimed. a

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the character-specified, having a cushion between the rim and the hub whlch will closelyapproximate to the pneumatic tire in resiliency without the defects thereof.

\ Referring to the drawings forming a part hereof, Figure l is a side view of a Wheel provided with the improvement shown partly insection. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of aspoke and the adjacent portion of the rim and hub, Fig. 3 is. a transverse section of the rim and a portion of a spoke, and Fig. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the Wheel with the outer rim removed.

The present embodiment of the invention comprises a hub 1, and an inner rim 2, which are connected by a plurality of spokes, each of which is hollow as shown, and consists 9f an inner section or sleeve 4, the sides ,of whose inner ends are beveled as. at 5 for engaging the edges of the adjacent spokes as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The inner ends of the sleeves are-received within'the hub, between the side plates 6 thereof, and bolts 7 extend through; the side plates between the s okes asshown to secure them in place. at approximately its longitudinal center with a diaphragm. 8 for a purpose to be presently described and at its outer end with an annular bead 9. I v

The outer end of the 'outer section 100f each spoke is, received-in an opening 11 in the innerrim which is preferably of wood, and the inner end is tapered as at 12 and is received in the similarly'tapered opening of the inner section, the end of the outer ach sleeve' is provided Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov,

.of the inner rim. A plurality of radialirods or plungers 14 are connected with the outer rim, one rod being provided for each spoke and extending into the opening therethrough.

- a coil edges of the facing,

' tire.

section fitting against the diaphragm as l shown.

An outer rim' to be arranged concentric with the inner rim, and in spaced relation, and a preferably steel concave facing 24. is seated on the outer face presently described is as at 36 outside of the nut to The inner end of each rod extends throu the diaphragm and is headed as at spring 16 is arranged between the head and .the periphery of the hub, outer end of each rod is provided with a longitudinal threaded recess 17, and a screw 18 extends through a longitudinal slot-18 ina plate spring 19 and into the recess, the sides of the slot being countersunk, so that 15, and

The

the head of the screw is flush with the outer face of the spring.

A stuffing box encircles each plunger, the outer casing 20 thereof having a threaded portion 21'which engages an opening in the facing, and the nut 22 being threaded. into theouter casing, While a packing 23 is inclosed in the casing. v

A plurality of leaf springs 25 are arranged betwcen the plate springs .19 and.

the facing 24, the inner end of each spring being bolted to the facing as at 26, and the outer end being riveted to the plate spring as at 27. The springs 25 are overlapping relation, and with the outer end of each opposite .theinner end of the next succeeding one. v

A solid rubber tire 28 is provided with an annular groove 24*, in which are riveted the plate springs and the leaf springs, and annular ring plates or check pieces 30 are arranged on each side of the tire. The outer faces of the plates or check pieces are convex as shown at 31, and fit the inner faces of the the outer edges of the plates extending well up on the sides of the The ring plates or check pieces are secured to the edges (if the facing by right and left hand. screws 32,- and a bolt 33- is passed. edges 34 of the form the before mentioned rim upon which the tire rests.

' A nut 35 is threadedon theend of each plunger, and the said plun er is reduced orm a shoulder upon Whichres't the springs 25 and 19, the end of the rod passing through-both springs. It. will be observed that the above described arranged in a whole consists of an inner rim rigidly connected with the hub, and an outer rim cushioned against the inner rim, and also against the hub, thus dividing the strain,

In operation, that portion of thesolid tire which rests upon the ground is moved to ward the hub, the movement being permitted by the springs 19 and 25, andthe coil springs. The compression of the outermost rim, formed by the springs 19 and 25, is permitted by this peculiar arrangement, so that the outer rim is cushioned not only against the hub .and the inner rim, but against itself.

I claim- 1. A spring wheel comprisinga hub, a rim, a lurality of hollow spokes connecting the ha and the rim, each of said spokes having near its inner end a diaphragm provided-with a. central opening, a rod in each spoke having a headed end inside of the diaphragm, a coil spring between the headed end and the hub, a concave facing on the rim, a plate springconnected with the outer end of each rod, a leaf spring connecting each'plate spring with the facing, said leaf springs being arranged in overlapping re lation and with the outer end of one opposite the inner end of the succeeding one, a solid tire having a groove inits inner face seated on the springs, the springs being received.

in the groove, bolts passing through the sides of the groove and across the same inside-of the springs, and ring plates on each side of the tire and seated inside the edges of the facing.

2. A springwheel comprising a rim, a

hub, and hollow spokes connecting the rim W. J. CAssmY, B. M. HOPPER. 

